Goals for this week

Every week is different.  One week I am in my groove and the house stays super clean, I keep caught up on laundry, and my children behave.  I love those weeks.  Clean house and clean laundry make me happy!  But the reality is, those beautiful weeks can be followed up with a week where I don't have time or make time to clean the toilets or the shower, or even have the motivation to fold the laundry.  These weeks I find myself more irritable, less patient, distracted with internet and computer.  I'm learning I need to prioritize my time better and not get distracted by so many things.  I also get lazy some days.  It all comes down to how I spend my time.  Do I allow myself to sit and peek at facebook or twitter?  Or do I read a book to my 4 year old?  Do I how on my favorite blog?  Or do I fold and put away one basket of laundry?

Here's my time managing goals for this week to get what needs to be done, done - and also, in turn, allow time with my sweet kiddos who need time with Mommy this summer.  It's a day at a time for me.  One list a day.  I can do this!

• Wake up early.  I need my time in the morning.  I need my coffee, Bible, and a notebook and my time with God before everyone rises.
• Plan my day.  I will sit and plan my days this week.  When I plan ahead to do the laundry and clean the bathrooms I find I'm more likely to stay on track
• Take a nap.  With early rising, I've found I MUST rest for 30 minutes.  If not, mommy is GRUMPY by dinner time! :)  
• Stay offline.  I was lazy and lax last week with my 9 - 9 challenge.  I will, a day at a time, work on staying offline between the hours of 9:00am - 9:00pm.  This is hard for me but a true game changer when it comes to being available for my kids and home.
• Play.  My kids need me this summer.  The days and years go fast.  I'm going to try to stick on schedule and keep up with the housework but also create space for just being together.  Playing. For us this week it's going to be early afternoons of playing together, and I've set aside Thursdays as a day of fun as well.  For me this needs to typically be out of the house time.  I get distracted and start mopping when we should be playing or running around!  So bowling, trips to the park, these are Thursday fun.

Up For the Challenge - 31 days to CLEAN

Just over a year ago I discovered some great women who were regularly blogging and had an incredible online presence and ministry. I was quickly sucked into blog world and began following the energetic and inspiring Sara Mae. I've read her great book 31 Days to Clean but I must admit I read it, was inspired, but didn't put much into practice! In preparation for getting her book ready to publish she is doing an online challenge and I am going to join in. Telling you on here keeps me accountable. It's summer - and I need a new challenge! Find out more here on her blog and let me know if you're joining in!

How long do those household chores really take?

Have you ever timed your housework chores? I bet it takes less time than you think! I recently timed myself emptying the dishwasher. 5 MINUTES! That's all it took. After that I starting thinking about all the time I've spent complaining and avoiding emptying the dishwasher. FIVE MINUTES? I can afford that.

Another of my dreaded chores is putting away the laundry.  If you are like me, folded baskets of clean clothes sit by the couch, at the base of the stairs, at the top of the stairs, and in my bedroom before I put them away in the dresser!  Well...I timed myself today while I put away 1 basked.  It took me LESS than 5 minutes!  Alright, maybe I DO have time to put away a load of laundry today.